Pre-Paducah

My friend, Nancy, flew in from California on Saturday, and that is when the fun began!  We sewed like crazy women on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday morning.  Nancy was finishing up her Home for the Holidays quilt by Primitive Gatherings so she could deliver it to Merry (hostest with the mostest for our Paducah trip), from Merry's Stitchins in Jesup, IA, to be machine quilted. I'm working on this quilt too, but was not as close to a finish as Nancy.  We also prepped more wool applique blocks to take with us on the bus trip, and I had a jewelry order that had to be finished before we left.  Whew!  Those couple of days just flew by!  

On Tuesday, we headed north to Merry's shop.  Of course, we had to make a stop in Hills, IA  at Inspirations Quilt Shop (you know...because there isn't enough shopping in Paducah!).  I thought I took a few pictures there, but I'm not finding them!

Next stop, Merry's Stitchins!  The bus didn't leave until Wednesday morning, but we went Tuesday and spent the night with Merry.  She had a quick errand to run, so we went to Waterloo and had supper at Lonestar - wow, was it good!  One of the best filets that I've ever had.  Here is Merry browsing the menu...

And just a couple of pics of her wonderful shop.  If you haven't been there, you should go - it is definitely worth the trip!  I will get this Primitive Gatherings quilt finished some day - would you believe that I have all of the blocks finished, just need to put it together and stitch the border (remember...I'm the Queen of finished blocks and unfinished quilts).

 Iowa vs Iowa State...

 Aren't these adorable??

Merry has kits, just call her shop (319-827-6703) and Jennifer will fix you up.

The ladies started arriving at Merry's bright and early on Wednesday morning - all raring to go!  We loaded up the bus and off we went.  On my Instagram I posted this picture of our bus driver, and asked that everyone pray for him, as he would be spending the next 4 days with 50 women!  I think he got quite the education.  He was an awesome bus driver, with a wonderful sense of humor!

 We left Merry's at 8:00 a.m. and I think we arrived at our hotel in Marion, IL around 6:00 p.m.  We stopped in Hannibal, MO for lunch and a visit to a couple of quilt shops there.  But all of those hours on the bus gave us lots of stitching time, and it was nice to get some blocks finished...

These still need some details added...

It was great to be able to be so productive on the bus.  Our hotel was about an hour away from the show, so we had a little stitching time every day.  Perfect!

I'll stop here for now - more on the show and the vendors later!